Reign of the Phoenix

Chapter 15 – Forced to Leave the Palace
Chiyun Ping took advantage of her half-drunk state to vent out the dissatisfaction in her heart. She jabbed a finger at Murong Zhining who was pushed to the ground. “Lowly slave, you plan to bewitch His Majesty and soar to a high branch just because you think you have a face that can mess up the laws of the imperial court? You want to step on me?!”

Yan Feng furiously roared, “Beloved consort, you’ve lost control of your manners. Watch your language!”

Chiyun Ping soundlessly cried. “Your Majesty feels sorry for this lowly slave? Just who does she think she is? A despicable maid from the brothel, the home raised daughter-in-law of a corrupt official. Such a lowly woman isn’t worthy of even dreaming about Your Majesty.”

Yan Feng’s face darkened. He stood up and flipped the table with one hand. “Chiyun Ping, you are too much. What did Miss Murong do that you humiliate her in front of everyone like this? No… It’s me you are humiliating!” Yan Feng swung his sleeves and left in a fury.

The sounds of everyone whispering in groups began to fill the party. The bustling hall just now suddenly quietened down. Chiyun Yuexuan walked over to support Chiyun Ping and took her back to her palace. Before they left, Chiyun Yuexuan turned around and cast Murong Zhining a vicious glare, those charming phoenix eyes of his flashed with a terrifyingly cold light. Just like that, the dinner banquet ended on a bad note.

Chiyun Yuexuan helped Chiyun Ping back to Minghui Palace. The sister and brother stayed inside a room for a long conversation. Chiyun Ping sobbed as she told her brother about the cold shoulder Yan Feng had been giving her because of that lowly slave Murong Zhining, and how that fox bewitched the emperor. During this, Chiyun Yuexuan’s sharp brows remained tightly knitted.

Alongside Cai Sang, Murong Zhining followed the entourage back to Minghui Palace. The humiliation at the party not only plagued her with great grief and indignation, but also gave her an inexplicable fear and anxiety. She could read danger from Chiyun Yuexuan’s ruthless glare.

Cai Sang consoled Murong Zhining, “It’s okay, don’t be so down. I know you have been wronged, but His Majesty will appoint you sooner or later. When that happens, Imperial Noble Consort won’t be able to bully you again.”

Sitting still on the edge of the bed, Murong Zhining hugged her shoulders. “I already knew that the palace is not a place where someone of my identity can settle down. I never hoped for it either. I just want to leave immediately and find my foster mother. Even if I have to work as a maid outside, it’s still much better than bearing the insults in the palace.” But, as a mere a puny servant, how can she decide her own fate? Murong Zhining lamented.

Chiyun Yuexuan had been lost in contemplation, his feelings kept wavering between Chiyun Ping and Yan Feng. One was his sister from the same parents, while the other was his close childhood friend who he regarded as his own brother. Moreover, this close friend was still his ruler. Chiyun Yuexuan was facing the most difficult problem in his life.

Looking at his heartbroken sister, Chiyun Yuexuan finally hardened his heart. He resolved to handle this problem his way.

Chiyun Yuexuan ordered for Murong Zhining to be called over. With his back facing her, the general’s figure seemed aloof, cold even. When Chiyun Yuexuan opened his mouth to speak, his deep voice was filled with nothing but hatred and scorn, “What I despise the most are despicable women like yourself who use their face to charm His Majesty and use him to climb up the ladder. His Majesty is only obsessed for the time being, otherwise, how would he take a fancy to a lowly slave like you? Go pack your things and follow me out the palace. With me here, those schemes of yours won’t go as you wish.”

Murong Zhining was neither servile nor overbearing. “I dare not object whatever evaluation you have of me. However, I am not a palace maid and need His Majesty’s permission to leave the palace.”

Chiyun Yuexuan’s voice was terrifyingly chilly. “Lowly slave, you think too highly of yourself. What are you if you’re not a maid? You are a lowly servant, a maid of Esteemed Imperial Noble Consort that probably isn’t even worth as much as the dog she raises. Esteemed Imperial Noble Consort is in charge of the Imperial Harem, she naturally has the right to decide whether you stay or leave. It’s not up to you.”

Murong Zhining could sense danger coming, but she knew that the powerless and low-born her had no rights to choose. “May I ask then, where are you taking me, General?”

Chiyun Yuexuan shouted, “Is this something a lowly slave like you can ask? One more word and I will send you to the brothel!”

Murong Zhining was both mortified and angry. “If so, I have a request. I want to bring Cai Sang with me.”

Chiyun Yuexuan still didn’t turn around, his voice extremely ruthless. “A lowly slave has no qualifications to negotiate with me. You have half an incense stick to pack your things.”

Hearing that Murong Zhining was to be brought away, Cai Sang was terrified. She couldn’t stop crying and tightly held Murong Zhining, refusing to let go. Murong Zhining gently peeled her hands off and wiped her tears. “Don’t cry, it’s unlucky. It’s not like we won’t ever meet again. If anything, General Chiyun is a person of status. He won’t do something unbefitting of his identity. You can rest assured.”

Murong Zhining packed her belongings and followed Chiyun Yuexuan out. Cai Sang chased after her and hugged her. “I came to the palace together with Zhining, if she leaves, I want to leave with her.”

Chiyun Yuexuan looked as cold as ice. “Scram before you embarrass yourself any longer.”

Murong Zhining stroke her face and consoled, “Listen to me, stay here and behave. After Esteemed Consort’s anger eases up in a few days, I’ll return.” She pushed Cai Sang away and walked without turning her head.

Murong Zhining didn’t know now that, this time she left, not only would she completely change her fate, but she would even rewrite the entire Huayan’s history.

When Yan Feng returned to Wan’an Palace, his rage was still seething. He smashed several valuable antiques in the Imperial Study. Qi Shangming had to hurry and transport the other breakable items away.

Waiting until the emperor’s fury diminished, Qi Shangming wiped the sweat on his forehead. “I will go to Minghui Palace to get information at once. Your Majesty can rest assured and rest a little, please don’t be angry again.”

Yan Feng waved his hand. “Hurry and go. Call Miss Murong back here, I won’t let her remain there and suffer.”

Murong Zhining was brought to a horse carriage. Chiyun Yuexuan rode his own horse at the front, while the carriage quietly followed behind him. From the gap between the curtains, Murong Zhining caught a glimpse of his figure, confident and unrestrained, but without a hint of warmth.

Murong Zhining was lost in thought. A heavy feeling loomed over her heart, it was the fear from her complete inability to predict her own future. As the palace’s image grew indistinct behind the carriage, the cavalcade headed towards the direction of the General Estate.

When Qi Shangming got news of Chiyun Yuexuan bringing Murong Zhining away, he quickly returned to Wan’an Palace to report. Yan Feng frowned at this, unable to understand Chiyun Yuexuan’s intention by this action. Remembering Chiyun Yuexuan’s daring and arrogant nature, Yan Feng’s heart jumped in fright. He was so afraid that Chiyun Yuexuan would hurt Murong Zhining that he wanted to send people to give chase and take her back.

Qi Shangming stopped him and analyzed, “While General Chiyun is young, he always knows what he’s doing. I think he is doing this to resolve the conflict at hand. After both Your Majesty and Esteemed Imperial Noble Consort calm down, he’ll definitely bring Miss Murong back to the palace.”

Yan Feng rested his forehead against his palm. “It’s not like you don’t know his personality. There’s nothing in this world that he doesn’t dare to do. I’m scared that he’d act rashly and hurt Miss Murong on the spur of the moment.”

Qi Shangming reassured him, “Even if General Chiyun disregards the consequences, he still has to mind his relationship with you. Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I think that Miss Murong is safer at his place than everywhere else.”

While Yan Feng was anxious, he still chose to trust Chiyun Yuexuan. When so many officials impeached Chiyun Yuexuan, his belief hadn’t swayed once; yet, for his beloved woman, he actually doubted his close childhood friend. Yan Feng felt a pang of guilt.

The next day in the court, Yan Feng sat upright on the throne while the officials waiting at the steps outside entered the grand hall according to their order. After they knelt to pay their respects, the officials stood neatly in two lines .

Yan Feng swept a dignified glance around the court. “Today, I will process your joint indictment against General Chiyun. I have summoned him back to the capital to undergo investigation. During this, I will temporarily revoked his rights to military leadership. Once the accusations on your reports prove true, absolutely will punish him severely without mercy, but if this turns out to be someone trying to frame a good official, I absolutely will not let them off lightly. Hereby, I appoint Minister of Personnel Hu Qizhi to assist me on this case.”

Chiyun Yuexuan respectfully submitted the Commander’s Seal. “I await Your Majesty’s arrangement for me. I will definitely cooperate with Your Majesty’s investigation to the best of my abilities.”

Hu Qizhi read aloud the joint report that indicted Chiyun Yuexuan and concluded the accusations: Number one: Relying on His Majesty’s favor for the Chiyun clan to deceive his superior, delude his subordinates, and demand exorbitant bribes from local officials. Number two: Overstepping his authority to frame and kill local officials. Number three: Suppressing the civilians’ joint petition, which resulted in riots.

With that, Hu Qizhi also presented the transcript of the local officials’ oral statements as well as the letter of civilian plea that impeached Chiyun Yuexuan.